Listen, I love Christmas (and the string of other winter holidays that this season brings along) just as much as the next person, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have beef with this time of year for several different reasons. On one hand, the frigid weather is unforgiving and harsh on my hair, to the point that I’ve had to reconstruct my haircare routine just to make sure my it’s as deeply moisturizing as possible. But my curls aren’t the only thing that suffers in the winter—I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older or not, but the loss of humidity means that my skin is drier than ever.
Thankfully this is an issue that I’m more than prepared to deal with. I’ve been swapping out my standard body products and lotions, replacing them with several heavy duty moisturizers to shield my skin from dryness and irritation.
From nourishing body oils to thick body butters, these are all the products I’m adding to my bodycare routine to combat dryness this winter.
Sometimes a hot shower, while relaxing, can be really harsh and drying for the skin, which is why I love using in-shower moisturizing treatments. They give my skin an extra hit of hydration before I even get out of the shower; plus they make the experience feel so much more luxurious and soothing.
L’Occitane
Almond Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil
I was initially skeptical of trying out in-shower oils (they always sounded a bit messy to me), but this is the product that made me fall in love with them. The texture is really soft and non-greasy, plus its scent is really subtle and not overpowering.
This thick balm is meant to intensely hydrate the skin using a few ingredients that are always a “hell yes” in my book: jojoba oil, coconut oil, and shea butter.
Sol de Janeiro
Delícia Drench Shower Oil
This shower oil has a thicker, gel texture that transforms into a gentle foam once it hits the water—so it cleanses and moisturizes at the same time. It’s another product that has a soft scent that smells pleasant without being overpowering.
I have a pretty large lineup of body lotions in my rotation, but when my skin is feeling uncomfortably dry due to cold weather, these are the formulas I wear most often.
La Roche-Posay
Lipikar Ap+m Triple Repair Body Moisturizing Cream for Dry Skin
A blend of hydrating glycerin, soothing niacinamide, and shea butter come together in this thick lotion that works wonders on my occasional dry patches.
Vaseline
Pro VitaB3 Serum Burst Lotion
This is an inexpensive option that I love because it has a really soft texture, it absorbs really quickly without pilling, and it doesn’t leave any greasy residue on my hands. The subtle, citrus-y scent is also pleasant without smelling powdery or cheap.
Whenever it gets really cold, there are some lotions that just don’t do the trick, which is why I normally end up having to bring out the heavy hitters, aka my trusted lineup of body butters. I like these because they’re a lot thicker than most lotions, but they’re able to moisturize without feeling super heavy on my skin and body.
Josie Maran
Topless Tangerine Whipped Argan Oil Refillable Firming Body Butter
Body butters have a reputation for feeling really heavy and greasy, but this product is the complete opposite. It’s a whipped formula that feels incredibly soft, and it absorbs quickly without sitting on the skin. It comes in a handful of scents, though the tangerine one is my favorite—I went through a full jar of this (and the refill pack) in no time.
Naturium
The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter
This is another body butter that has a thicker consistency, but not to the point at which it feels uncomfortable. I can always count on my skin to feel extra soft and moisturized after using this—I just wish it had a stronger scent!
I love a body oil that can nourish my skin while also giving me a nice glow, but a really good formula will prevent moisture loss. I’ve tried dozens—these are the ones I keep coming back to.
Pattern Beauty
Nourishing Body Oil
This is a newer product from Pattern Beauty, and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since it launched. It has an amber scent that’s so nice, it almost makes me want to skip wearing perfume when I have it on; not to mention that it gives me the softest skin of my life.
OSEA
Undaria Algae Body Oil
Body oils can be really thick, but this one has a softer, thinner texture that moisturizes without sitting on top of the skin. It has a subtle fragrance, but if you’re sensitive to it, you can just get the unscented version.
Brown Sugar Babe
Rich Aunty
This brand has a huge lineup of scented oils, but this one in particular has a comforting fragrance that smells warm and citrus-y. It’s strong enough that you don’t even need to layer on perfume after, and once it settles, it lingers much longer than most other perfumes I’ve tried.
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